Display method and display device

ABSTRACT

When an optical element is transparent, an observer is enabled to visually recognize a stereoscopic image having a stereoscopic effect. A display method for a stereoscopic image, using a display device provided with a transparent light guide plate, includes: emitting light to be recognized by the observer as a stereoscopic image ( 11 ) from an optical element; and displaying the stereoscopic image ( 11 ) on a stereoscopic image forming plane (P 1 ) not parallel to an outgoing surface ( 21 ) of the optical element. In the display method, the observer is able to visually recognize a rear surface side of the display device through the optical element.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display method and a display devicefor causing an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, as a display device for displaying a stereoscopic image,for example, an image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 hasbeen known.

The image display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes: alight guide plate; a light source provided at the end of the light guideplate; a first display pattern having a plurality of first prisms formedon the rear surface of the light guide plate; and a second displaypattern having a plurality of second prisms formed on the rear surfaceof the light guide plate. The first display pattern forms a first imageon the front surface side of the light guide plate with the plurality offirst prisms and the second display pattern forms a second image on thefront surface side of the light guide plate with the plurality of secondprisms.

With this configuration, by appropriately setting the shapes (mainly thereflective surfaces) of the first prisms and the second prisms of therespective display patterns, for example, it is possible to generate afirst image to be visually recognized with the observer's right eye anda second image to be visually recognized with the observer's left eye.It is thereby possible to cause the observer to recognize a stereoscopicimage in a natural state without forcing the observer to perform anunnatural movement for fusion.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2012-118378

Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2011-175297

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the image display device described in Patent Document 1, thelight guide plate as an optical element is transparent, and astereoscopic image is displayed on a plane parallel to the outgoingsurface of the light guide plate. Therefore, the observer feels that thelight emitting surface of the light guide plate is shining. As a result,there is a problem in which the observer hardly feels the stereoscopiceffect of the stereoscopic image.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to realize a displaymethod for a stereoscopic image which enables an observer to visuallyrecognize a stereoscopic image having a stereoscopic effect when theoptical element is transparent.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to solve the above problem, a display method according to oneaspect of the present invention is a display method for a stereoscopicimage, using a display device provided with a transparent opticalelement, the display method including: emitting light to be recognizedby an observer as a stereoscopic image from the optical element; anddisplaying at least a part of the stereoscopic image on a plane notparallel to an outgoing surface of the optical element. In the displaymethod, the observer is able to visually recognize a rear surface sideof the display device through the optical element.

In order to solve the above problem, a display method according to oneaspect of the present invention is a display method for a stereoscopicimage, using a display device provided with a transparent opticalelement, the display method including emitting light to be recognized byan observer as a stereoscopic image from the optical element. In thedisplay method, the observer is able to visually recognize a rearsurface side of the display device through the optical element, and thestereoscopic image has two planes positioned on mutually differentplanes.

In order to solve the above problem, a display method according to oneaspect of the present invention is a display method for a stereoscopicimage, using a display device provided with a transparent opticalelement, the display method including emitting light to be recognized byan observer as a stereoscopic image from the optical element. In thedisplay method, the observer is able to visually recognize a rearsurface side of the display device through the optical element, and thestereoscopic image includes two line segments that are parallel to oneplane and are not parallel to each other and one line segment that isnot parallel to the plane.

Effect of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, when the opticalelement is transparent, an effect is exerted to enable an observer tovisually recognize a stereoscopic image having a stereoscopic effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a displaydevice according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of the displaydevice.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the displaydevice.

FIG. 4(a) is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an optical pathchanging unit provided in the display device, and FIG. 4(b) is aperspective view illustrating a configuration of a reflector providedfor changing the optical path.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating arrangement of reflectors inthe optical path changing unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a method for forming a planeimage by the optical path changing unit.

FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d) are perspective views illustrating display examplesusing the display device.

FIGS. 8(a) to 8(d) are perspective views illustrating other displayexamples using the display device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a displaydevice according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of atwo-dimensional image display device provided in the display device.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an optical pathchanging unit provided in the two-dimensional image display device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a display example using thedisplay device.

FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams illustrating display examples usingan optical element according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

A display device 1A and a display method for the display device 1Aaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

(Configuration of Display Device 1A)

The configuration of the display device 1A will be described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of thedisplay device 1A. FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating theconfiguration of the display device 1A. FIG. 3 is a plan viewillustrating the configuration of the display device 1A. In thefollowing, for the convenience of description, a +x direction in FIG. 1may be described as a front direction, a −x direction as a backdirection, a +y direction as a right direction, a −y direction as a leftdirection, a +z direction as an up direction, and a −z direction as adown direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the display device 1A includes a lightsource 10 and a light guide plate (optical element) 20.

The light source 10 is a member for irradiating the light guide plate 20with light and is formed of, for example, a light emitting diode (LED).The light source 10 may have a configuration including one lightemitting diode or a configuration including a plurality of lightemitting diodes.

The light guide plate 20 is a member that guides light (incident light)incident from the light source 10, and the shape of light guide plate 20is not limited but is substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape inthe present embodiment. The light guide plate 20 is formed of atransparent resin material having a relatively high refractive index. Asa material for forming the light guide plate 20, for example,polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, or the like can beused. In the present embodiment, the light guide plate 20 is formed ofpolymethyl methacrylate resin. In the present embodiment, since thelight guide plate 20 is transparent, the observer can visually recognizethe rear surface side of the display device 1A through the light guideplate 20. Thereby, in the display device 1A, the observer can visuallyrecognize a stereoscopic image or a reference image, described later,without being conscious of the display device 1A.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the light guide plate 20 includes an outgoingsurface 21, a rear surface 22, and an incident surface 23.

The outgoing surface 21 is a surface that emits light guided inside thelight guide plate 20 and changed in its optical path by an optical pathchanging unit 30, described later. The outgoing surface 21 constitutesthe front surface of the light guide plate 20. The rear surface 22 is asurface parallel to the outgoing surface 21 and is a surface on whichthe optical path changing unit 30 is disposed. Note that the rearsurface 22 may not be parallel to the outgoing surface 21. The incidentsurface 23 is a surface where the light emitted from the light source 10enters the inside of the light guide plate 20.

The light emitted from the light source 10 and enters the light guideplate 20 from the incident surface 23 is totally reflected by theoutgoing surface 21 or the rear surface 22 and guided through the lightguide plate 20.

The optical path changing unit 30 is disposed on the rear surface 22inside the light guide plate 20 and is a member for changing the opticalpath of the light guided in the light guide plate 20 to emit the lightfrom the outgoing surface 21. Further, the optical path changing unit 30is a member for forming a part of a stereoscopic image, or a part of areference image, to be visually recognized by an observer. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of optical path changing units 30 areprovided on the rear surface 22 of the light guide plate 20.

FIG. 4(a) is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the opticalpath changing unit 30, and FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view illustratingthe configuration of the reflector 31 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 4(a), the optical path changing unit 30 is madeup of optical path changing unit groups 31, 32, 33 . . . . In FIG. 4(a),for the sake of simplicity, only the optical path changing unit groups31 to 33 are illustrated. Each of the optical path changing unit groups31, 32, 33 . . . is formed by a plurality of reflectors (prisms)provided along a direction parallel to the incident surface 23. Forexample, the optical path changing unit group 31 is made up of aplurality of reflectors 31 a. Similarly, the optical path changing unitgroups 32, 33 . . . are made up of a plurality of reflectors 32 a, 33 a,. . . , respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 4(b), the reflector 31 a has a triangularpyramidal shape and has a reflective surface 31 aa that reflects(totally reflects) the incident light. For example, the reflector 31 amay be a recess formed on the rear surface 22 of the light guide plate20. The reflectors 32 a, 33 a . . . also have the same structure as thereflector 31 a. The reflector 31 a is not limited to the triangularpyramid shape.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of thereflectors 31 a, 32 a, 33 a in the optical path changing unit 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the respective optical path changing unitgroups 31, 32, 33 . . . , reflective surfaces 31 aa, 32 aa, 33 aa . . .of the plurality of reflectors 31 a, 32 a, 33 a . . . are arranged onthe rear surface 22 of the light guide plate 20 so as to have mutuallydifferent angles with respect to the incident direction of the light.Thus, each of the optical path changing unit groups 31, 32, 33 . . .changes the optical path of the incident light and emits the light invarious directions from the outgoing surface 21

Next, a method for forming a part of a stereoscopic image or a part of areference image by the optical path changing unit 30 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 6. Here, one plane image I, which is a part of astereoscopic image, is formed on a stereoscopic image forming plane Pwhich is a plane vertical to the outgoing surface 21 of the light guideplate 20 by the light path changed by the optical path changing unit 30will be described.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a method for forming the planeimage I by the optical path changing unit 30. Here, the formation of aring mark with diagonal lines as a plane image I on a stereoscopic imageforming plane P will be described.

In the display device 1A, as illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, thelight changed in its optical path by each reflector 31 a of the opticalpath changing unit group 31 intersects the stereoscopic image formingplane P on a line La1 and a line La2. Thereby, a line image LI which isa part of the plane image I is formed on the stereoscopic image formingplane P. The line image LI is a line image parallel to the YZ plane. Inthis manner, the line image LI of the line La1 and the line La2 isformed by the light from each of a large number of reflectors 31 abelonging to the optical path changing unit group 31. Note that thelight for forming the images of the lines La1, La2 may be provided by atleast two reflectors 31 a in the optical path changing unit group 31.

Likewise, the light changed in its optical path by each reflector 32 aof the optical path changing unit group 32 intersects the stereoscopicimage forming plane P at the lines Lb1, Lb2 or Lb3. Thereby, a lineimage LI which is a part of the plane image I is formed on thestereoscopic image forming plane P.

Further, the light changed in its optical path by each reflector 33 a ofthe optical path changing unit group 33 intersects the stereoscopicimage forming plane P at the line Lc1 or Lc2. Thereby, a line image LIwhich is a part of the plane image I is formed on the stereoscopic imageforming plane P.

The positions in the X-axis direction of the line images formed by theoptical path changing unit groups 31, 32, 33 . . . are different fromeach other. In the display device 1A, by reducing the distances amongthe optical path changing unit groups 31, 32, 33 . . . , it is possibleto reduce the distance in the X-axis direction of the line image LI tobe formed by each of the optical path changing unit groups 31, 32, 33 .. . . As a result, in the display device 1A, by accumulating a pluralityof line images LI each formed by the light changed in its optical pathby each of the reflectors 31 a, 32 a, 33 a . . . of the optical pathchanging unit groups 31, 32, 33 . . . , the plane image I issubstantially formed on the stereoscopic image forming plane P.

Note that the stereoscopic image forming plane P may be a plane verticalto the X-axis, a plane vertical to the Y-axis, or a plane vertical tothe Z-axis. Further, the stereoscopic image forming plane P may be aplane that is not vertical to the X-axis, the Y-axis, or the Z-axis.Moreover, the stereoscopic image forming plane P may be a curved surfaceinstead of a plane. That is, the display device 1A can cause the opticalpath changing unit 30 to form the plane image I on an arbitrary plane(plane and curved surface) on the space. In the display device 1A, forexample, a plane image is formed on a stereoscopic image forming plane,which is vertical to the outgoing surface 21, by light changed in itsoptical path by one optical path changing unit 30 among the plurality ofoptical path changing units 30. A plane image is formed on astereoscopic image forming plane, which is parallel to the outgoingsurface 21, by light changed in its optical path by another optical pathchanging unit 30 among the plurality of optical path changing units 30.

In FIG. 3, each optical path changing unit 30 is described in a singleregion, but this is for the convenience of description, and the displaydevice of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, in thedisplay device of one aspect of the present invention, for example, twooptical path changing units 30 for displaying two stereoscopic imagesmay be provided in the same region.

(Display Examples of Display Device 1A)

Next, Display Examples 1 to 6 of stereoscopic images, using the displaydevice 1A, will be described. FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d) and 8(a) to 8(d) areperspective views illustrating a display example of a stereoscopic imageby using the display device 1A. In the following description, in orderto distinguish the plurality of optical path changing units 30 from eachother, they are referred to as optical path changing units 30 a, 30 b,30 c.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE 1

Display Example 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7(a). Asillustrated in FIG. 7(a), in the present display example, the displaydevice 1A forms a stereoscopic image I1 which is a plane image on astereoscopic image forming plane P1 which is a plane vertical to theoutgoing surface 21 of the light guide plate 20. Specifically, thedisplay device 1A forms the stereoscopic image I1 on the stereoscopicimage forming plane P1 by the light changed in its optical path by theoptical path changing unit 30 a.

As described above, in Display Example 1, the display device 1A formsthe image of the stereoscopic image I1 on the stereoscopic image formingplane P1 which is a plane vertical to the outgoing surface 21. As aresult, even when the transparent light guide plate 20 is used, thedisplay device 1A enables the observer to visually recognize thestereoscopic image I1 having a stereoscopic effect.

In the present display example, an example has been described where thestereoscopic image I1 is formed (displayed) on the stereoscopic imageforming plane P1 which is a plane vertical to the outgoing surface 21.However, the display device 1A of the present invention is not limitedthereto. That is, the display device 1A according to one embodiment ofthe present invention may form (display) the stereoscopic image I1 on aplane not parallel to the outgoing surface 21. In this case, thestereoscopic image I1 is formed on a plane intersecting a plane parallelto the outgoing surface 21. Thereby, even when the transparent lightguide plate 20 is used, the display device 1A enables the observer tovisually recognize the stereoscopic image I1 having a stereoscopiceffect. Note that the stereoscopic image I1 may be a part of astereoscopic image formed by the display device 1A. That is, astereoscopic image which is at least a part of the stereoscopic imagemay be formed (displayed) on the stereoscopic image forming plane P1.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE 2

Display Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 7(b). Asillustrated in FIG. 7(b), in the present display example, the displaydevice 1A forms a stereoscopic image I2. The stereoscopic image I2includes a plane image I2 a formed on a stereoscopic image forming planeP2 which is a plane parallel to the outgoing surface 21 of the lightguide plate 20, and a plane image I2 b formed on a stereoscopic imageforming plane P3 which is a plane parallel to the outgoing surface 21and different from the stereoscopic image forming plane P2.Specifically, the display device 1A forms the plane image I2 a on thestereoscopic image forming plane P2 by the light changed in its opticalpath by the optical path changing unit 30 b, and the plane image I2 b onthe stereoscopic image forming plane P3 which is a plane parallel to theoutgoing surface 21 by the light changed in its optical path by theoptical path changing unit 30 c

As described above, in Display Example 2, the display device 1A formsthe plane images I2 a, I2 b on the stereoscopic image forming planes P2,P3, which are planes parallel to the outgoing surface 21, respectively(i.e., the display device 1A forms the stereoscopic image I2). That is,the stereoscopic image I2 has two planes (plane images I2 a, I2 b)positioned on mutually different planes. As a result, even when thetransparent light guide plate 20 is used, the display device 1A can makethe observer feel that the plane images I2 a, I2 b are formed onmutually different planes. That is, the display device 1A enables theobserver to visually recognize the stereoscopic image I2 having astereoscopic effect.

In the present display example, the stereoscopic image I2 is made up ofthe two plane images I2 a, I2 b, but the display device 1A of thepresent invention is not limited thereto. That is, the stereoscopicimage I2 formed by the display device 1A may include plane images thatare different from each other and formed on three or more stereoscopicimage forming planes parallel to one another.

Further, in the present display example, an example has been describedwhere the plane images I2 a, I2 b are formed (displayed) on thestereoscopic image forming planes P2, P3 which are planes parallel tothe outgoing surface 21. However, the display device 1A of the presentinvention is not limited thereto. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7(c),the display device 1A according to the embodiment of the presentinvention may form (display) plane images I3 a, I3 b as a stereoscopicimage I3 on stereoscopic image forming planes P1, P4 which are planesvertical to the outgoing surface 21.

Further, the display device 1A is not limited to the aspect in which thestereoscopic image with two plane images is formed on the stereoscopicimage forming planes that are parallel to each other. That is, thedisplay device 1A according to one aspect of the present invention maydisplay stereoscopic images having two mutually different planespositioned on planes that are not parallel to each other. Thestereoscopic image formed by the display device 1A may include anothersurface or line besides the two planes.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE 3

Display Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 7(d). Asillustrated in FIG. 7(d), in the present display example, the displaydevice 1A forms a stereoscopic image I2A. The stereoscopic image I2A hasa line image I2 c in addition to the plane images I2 a, I2 b in thestereoscopic image I2 of Display Example 2. The line image I2 c is aline segment connecting the plane image I2 a and the plane image I2 bformed on two mutually different planes. The line image I2 c is formedby the light changed in its optical path by an optical path changingunit 30 d.

As described above, in Display Example 3, the display device 1A formsthe stereoscopic image I2A having a line image I2 c that connects theplane image I2 a and the plane image I2 b. Hence it is possible to makethe observer feel the thickness of the stereoscopic image I2A with theline image I2 c, thus enabling the observer to visually recognize thestereoscopic image I2A having a stereoscopic effect.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE 4

Display Example 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 8(a). Asillustrated in FIG. 8(a), in the present display example, the displaydevice 1A forms a triangular prismatic stereoscopic image I4.

The stereoscopic image I4 includes two line segments (e.g., linesegments I4 a, I4 b illustrated in FIG. 8(a)) that are parallel to oneplane and are not parallel to each other, and one line segment that isnot parallel to the plane (i.e., line segment I4 c illustrated in FIG.8(a). As a result, the stereoscopic image I4 is a stereoscopic imagewith a high stereoscopic effect. Thereby, even when the transparentlight guide plate 20 is used, the display device 1A enables the observerto visually recognize the stereoscopic image I4 having a stereoscopiceffect.

In Display Example 4, the display device 1A forms a triangular prismaticstereoscopic image I4, but the display device 1A of the presentinvention is not limited thereto. That is, the stereoscopic image I4formed by the display device 1A may be any stereoscopic image so long asincluding two line segments that are parallel to one plane and are notparallel to each other and one line segment that is not parallel to theplane. A stereoscopic image including such three components cannot befit on one plane but always becomes a stereoscopic image having athree-dimensional shape.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE 5

Display Example 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 8(b). Asillustrated in FIG. 8(b), in the present display example, the displaydevice 1A forms a reference image R1 separately from the stereoscopicimage I1 in Display Example 1.

The reference image R1 includes two line segments R1 a, R1 b that areparallel to the outgoing surface 21 and orthogonal to each other. Linesegments R1 a, R1 b intersect at a point Q. The reference image R1 isformed by the light changed in its optical path by the optical pathchanging unit 30 e.

As described above, in Display Example 5, the display device 1A formsthe reference image R1 separately from the stereoscopic image I1. Thus,since the observer can recognize the stereoscopic image I1 withreference to the reference image R1 as a reference, the observer canvisually recognize the stereoscopic image I1 as an image having a morestereoscopic effect as compared with Display Example 1.

In the display example, the reference image R1 has two line segments R1a, R1 b parallel to the outgoing surface 21, but the display device 1Aof the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the referenceimage R1 formed by the display device 1A may be an image that includestwo line segments orthogonal to each other, and is not necessarilyrequired to be parallel to the outgoing surface 21.

Further, in the present display example, the example of forming thereference image R1 including the two line segments R1 a, R1 b has beendescribed, but the display device 1A of the present invention is notlimited thereto. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8(c), the displaydevice 1A of one embodiment of the present invention may form areference image R2 made up of a plane image parallel to the outgoingsurface 21. Thus, the observer can recognize the stereoscopic image I1with reference to the reference image R2, so that the observer canvisually recognize the stereoscopic image I1 as an image having a morestereoscopic effect as compared with Display Example 1. The referenceimage R2 is made of the plane image and can thus be said to include twoline segments orthogonal to each other.

The plane on which the reference images R1, R2 are formed may beparallel to the plane on which the stereoscopic image I1 is formed butis preferably not parallel thereto in order to improve the stereoscopiceffect of the stereoscopic image I1. The plane on which the referenceimages R1, R2 are formed is more preferably vertical to the plane onwhich the stereoscopic image I1 is imaged. Further, the plane on whichthe reference images R1, R2 are formed is preferably parallel to theoutgoing surface 21.

Note that the display method in the present display example is alsoeffective particularly in a display device that displays stereoscopicimages by fusion due to parallax, using light emitted from a light guideplate as a transparent optical element. That is, in a parallax typestereoscopic image display device, by enabling the observer to recognize(by displaying) a reference image including two line segments orthogonalto each other separately from an image recognized by the observer as astereoscopic image, thus enabling the observer to visually recognize astereoscopic image having a stereoscopic effect.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE 6

Display Example 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 8(d). Asillustrated in FIG. 8(d), in the present display example, a displaydevice 1A forms the reference image R1A separately from the stereoscopicimage I1 in Display Example 1. The reference image R1A includes a linesegment R1 c in addition to the line segments R1 a, R1 b in thereference image R1 of Display Example 5. The line segment R1 c is a linesegment orthogonal to the line segments R1 a, R1 b.

As described above, in Display Example 6, the display device 1A forms areference image R1A made up of the three line segments R1 a, R1 b, R1 corthogonal to each other separately from the stereoscopic image I1.Thereby, the observer can visually recognize the stereoscopic image I1as an image having a more stereoscopic effect as compared with DisplayExample 5. Each of the line segments R1 a, R1 b, R1 c may be imaged on aplane different from the plane on which the stereoscopic image I1 isformed. The line segment R1 c may be parallel to the plane on which thestereoscopic image I1 is imaged.

Here, in the case of displaying the stereoscopic image I1 by using thelight guide plate 20 as in the display device 1A of the presentembodiment, due to a shape error (sag or the like) of the reflectors 31a, 32 a, 33 a, the displayed stereoscopic image I1 may be blurred or itscontrast may deteriorate, so that the stereoscopic effect of thestereoscopic image I1 may be impaired. In contrast, in Display Example6, by forming the reference image R1A composed of three line segments R1a, R1 b, R1 c orthogonal to each other, separately from the stereoscopicimage I1, it is possible to increase trails to obtain a stereoscopiceffect of the stereoscopic image I1. As a result, it is possible for theobserver to visually recognize a stereoscopic image having astereoscopic effect.

The reference images R1, R1A, R2 in Display Examples 5 and 6 have beenimages each formed by light changed in its optical path by the opticalpath changing unit 30 of the display device 1A. However, the displaydevice 1A of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, inthe display device 1A of one embodiment of the present invention, a lineor a plane image as a reference image may actually be drawn on theoutgoing surface 21 or the rear surface 22 of the light guide plate 20by using a marker or the like, for example.

As a result, the drawn reference image may be displayed separately fromthe stereoscopic image. Further, a transparent sheet (thin film) inwhich a line or a plane image as a reference image is actually drawn byusing a marker or the like is provided on (pasted to) the outgoingsurface 21 or the rear surface 22 of the light guide plate 20, the drawnreference image may be displayed separately from the stereoscopic image.

In a conventional technique (e.g., three-dimensional (3D) television,etc.), a display device for displaying a stereoscopic image is providedwith a frame (image frame) around an optical element that emits lightthat is recognized as a stereoscopic image to an observer. This enablesthe observer to recognize the stereoscopic image as an image having astereoscopic effect with the frame as the reference plane. However, whenthe display device is used as a guide plate or the like, it ispreferable to omit the frame and make the observer unconscious of thedisplay device. Therefore, in the display device 1A according to thepresent embodiment, by displaying a stereoscopic image as in DisplayExamples 1 to 6 above, even in the absence of the frame (image frame)(i.e., when the light guide plate 20 is transparent), it is possible forthe observer to visually recognize a stereoscopic image having astereoscopic effect.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. For convenience ofdescription, members having the same functions as the members describedin the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, andthe description thereof is omitted.

A configuration of a display device 1B in the present embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of thedisplay device 1B. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the display device 1Bincludes a two-dimensional image display device 40 in addition to theconfiguration of the display device 1A in the first embodiment, and alight guide plate 60 of the two-dimensional image display device 40,described later, is superimposed on to the light guide plate 20.

Next, the two-dimensional image display device 40 will be described withreference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of thetwo-dimensional image display device 40. FIG. 11 is a plan viewillustrating a configuration of an optical path changing unit 80provided in the two-dimensional image display device 40.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the two-dimensional image displaydevice 40 includes a light source 50 and the light guide plate (opticalelement) 60.

The light source 50 is a member for irradiating the light guide plate 60with light, and is formed of, for example, a light emitting diode (LED).The light source 50 may have a configuration including one lightemitting diode or a configuration including a plurality of lightemitting diodes.

The light guide plate 60 is a member that guides light incident from thelight source 50, and the shape of light guide plate 60 is not limitedbut is substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in the presentembodiment. The light guide plate 60 has substantially the same size asthe light guide plate 20 in the display device 1A. The light guide plate60 is formed of a transparent resin material having a relatively highrefractive index. As a material for forming the light guide plate 60,for example, polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, or thelike can be used. In the present embodiment, the light guide plate 60 isformed of polymethyl methacrylate resin. In the display device 1B, sincethe light guide plate 20 and the light guide plate 60 are transparent,the observer can visually recognize the rear surface side of the displaydevice 1B through the light guide plate 20 and the light guide plate 60.Thereby, in the display device 1B, the observer can visually recognize astereoscopic image or a reference image without being conscious of thedisplay device 1B.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the light guide plate 60 includes an outgoingsurface 61, a rear surface 62, and an incident surface 63.

The outgoing surface 61 is a surface that emits light guided inside thelight guide plate 60, the light changed in its optical path by anoptical path changing unit 80 described later. The outgoing surface 61constitutes the front-side surface (front surface) of the light guideplate 60. The rear surface 62 is a surface parallel to the outgoingsurface 61 and is a surface on which the optical path changing unit 80is disposed. The detail of the optical path changing unit 80 will bedescribed later. The incident surface 63 is a surface where the lightemitted from the light source 50 enters the inside of the light guideplate 60.

The optical path changing unit 80 is disposed on the rear surface 62inside the light guide plate 60 and is a member for changing the opticalpath of the light guided in the light guide plate 60 to emit the lightfrom the outgoing surface 61. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the opticalpath changing unit 80 is made up of optical path changing unit groups81, 82, 83 . . . . Note that FIG. 11 only illustrates the optical pathchanging unit groups 81 to 83 for the sake of simplicity.

Each of the optical path changing unit groups 81, 82, 83 . . . isprovided along the direction parallel to the incident surface 63, and iseach formed of a part of the Fresnel lens.

In the display device 1B, for example, a point image is formed on thestereoscopic image forming plane by the light changed in its opticalpath by the optical path changing unit group 81. Similarly, a pointimage is formed on the stereoscopic image forming plane by the lightchanged in its optical path by each of the optical path changing unitgroups 82, 83 . . . . In the display device 1B, by reducing thedistances among the optical path changing unit groups 81, 82, 83 . . . ,it is possible to reduce the distance of the point image to be formed byeach of the optical path changing unit groups 81, 82, 83 . . . . As aresult, in the display device 1B, by accumulating a plurality of pointimages each formed by the light changed in its optical path by each ofthe optical path changing unit groups 81, 82, 83 . . . , a stereoscopicimage, which is a line image, is substantially formed on thestereoscopic image forming plane.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a display example by thedisplay device 1B.

In the display device 1B, the light guide plate 60 is provided assuperimposed on the light guide plate 20. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the stereoscopic image I1 is formed by the light emitted fromthe light guide plate 20, and the two-dimensional image D, which is madeof a plane image and parallel to the outgoing surface 21, is formed bythe light emitted from the light guide plate 60. As a result, theobserver can recognize the two-dimensional image D as the stereoscopicimage I1 as the reference image R2 in Display Example 5 described above,so that the observer can visually recognize the stereoscopic image I1 asan image having a more stereoscopic effect as compared with DisplayExample 1.

Third Embodiment

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 13. For convenience of description,members having the same functions as the members described in the aboveembodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and thedescription thereof is omitted.

In the display devices 1A, 1B according to the first and secondembodiments, the light guided inside the light guide plate 20 or thelight guide plate 60 is changed in its optical path by the optical pathchanging unit, emitted from the outgoing surface 21 or 61 to form astereoscopic image or a reference image. However, the display method ofthe present invention is not limited thereto. That is, light may beemitted from the optical element by using light emitted from an objectto be an original image of a stereoscopic image or a reference image toform a stereoscopic image or a reference image.

A display device that emits light from an optical element by using lightemitted from an object to be an original image and forms a stereoscopicimage or a reference image is, for example, as follows: (1) a displaydevice using a two-sided reflector array structure in which a pluralityof mutually orthogonal mirror surface elements are arranged in theoptical coupling element plane as disclosed in Patent Document 2; and(2) a so-called “Pepper's Ghost” display device using a half mirror. Inthese display devices as well, the optical element such as the two-sidedreflector array structure or the half mirror (hereinafter referred to asan optical element 100) is transparent and the observer can visuallyrecognizes the rear surface side of the display device through theoptical element 100.

FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams illustrating display examples of adisplay method using the optical element 100. Display Examples 7 and 8in the case of using the optical element 100 will be described withreference to FIG. 13.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE 7

Display Example 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 13(a). Asillustrated in FIG. 13(a), in the present display example, a display N1and a display N2 that each emit light to be an original image of astereoscopic image I5 are arranged on one side with respect to theoptical element 100. The display N1 and the display N2 are disposed inparallel to each other. The light emitted from each of the display N1and the display N2 enters the optical element 100, changed in itsoptical path by the optical element 100, and emitted from the opticalelement 100. Then, by the light emitted from the optical element 100,each of a plane image I5 a and a plane image I5 b as the stereoscopicimage I5 is formed on the side opposite to the one side with respect tothe optical element 100.

As described above, in Display Example 7, the plane images I5 a, I5 bare formed (i.e., the stereoscopic image I5 is formed). That is, thestereoscopic image I5 has two planes (plane images I5 a, I5 b)positioned on mutually different planes. As a result, in the presentdisplay example, even when the transparent optical element 100 is used,it is possible to make the observer feel that the plane images I5 a, I5b are formed on different planes. That is, in the present displayexample, it is possible for the observer to visually recognize thestereoscopic image I5 having a stereoscopic effect.

DISPLAY EXAMPLE 8

Display Example 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 13(b). Asillustrated in FIG. 13(b), in the present display example, a display N1and a display N3 that each emit light to be an original image of astereoscopic image I6 are arranged on one side with respect to theoptical element 100. Note that the display N3 includes a transparentlight guide plate that emits light to be an original image. The displayN1 and the display N3 are arranged vertically to each other. The lightemitted from each of the display N1 and the display N2 enters theoptical element 100, changed in its optical path by the optical element100, and emitted from the optical element 100. Then, by the lightemitted from the optical element 100, each of a plane image I6 a and aplane image I6 b as the stereoscopic image I6 is formed on the sideopposite to the one side with respect to the optical element 100. Thedisplay N3 includes a transparent light guide plate. Therefore, asillustrated in FIG. 13(b), even when the display N3 is positioned closerto the optical element 100 than the display N1, the light emitted fromthe display N1 can be transmitted through the display N3 to form theplane image I6 a.

As described above, in Display Example 8, the plane images I6 a, I6 bare formed (i.e., the stereoscopic image I6 is formed). That is, thestereoscopic image I6 has two mutually vertical surfaces (plane imagesI6 a, I6 b). As a result, in the present display example, even when thetransparent optical element 100 is used, it is possible to make theobserver feel that the plane images I6 a, I6 b are formed on differentplanes. That is, in the present display example, it is possible for theobserver to visually recognize the stereoscopic image I6 having astereoscopic effect.

In Display Example 8, the display N3 includes the transparent lightguide plate that emits light, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, instead of the display N3, there may be used amember provided with a light emitting body (e.g., a light emitting diodearranged on a matrix or a light emitting wire) on a transparent flatplate (e.g., glass plate).

SUMMARY

A display method according to one aspect of the present invention is adisplay method for a stereoscopic image, using a display device providedwith a transparent optical element, the display method including:emitting light to be recognized by an observer as a stereoscopic imagefrom the optical element; and displaying at least a part of thestereoscopic image on a plane not parallel to an outgoing surface of theoptical element. In the display method, the observer is able to visuallyrecognize a rear surface side of the display device through the opticalelement.

According to the above feature, since at least a part of thestereoscopic image is formed on a plane that intersects with a planeparallel to the outgoing surface, even when the optical element istransparent, it is possible for the observer to visually recognize astereoscopic image having a stereoscopic effect.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,at least a part of the stereoscopic image may be displayed on a planevertical to the outgoing surface of the optical element.

A display method according to one aspect of the present invention is adisplay method for a stereoscopic image, using a display device providedwith a transparent optical element, the display method includingemitting light to be recognized by an observer as a stereoscopic imagefrom the optical element. In the display method, the observer is able tovisually recognize a rear surface side of the display device through theoptical element, and the stereoscopic image has two planes positioned onmutually different planes.

According to the above feature, even when a transparent optical elementis used, it is possible to make the observer feel that the stereoscopicimage is formed on two different surfaces. That is, it is possible forthe observer to visually recognize a stereoscopic image having astereoscopic effect.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,the two planes may be parallel to each other.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,it is preferable that the stereoscopic image have a line connecting thetwo planes.

This can make the observer feel the thickness of the stereoscopic imagewith the line connecting the two planes to the observer. It is thuspossible for the observer to visually recognize a stereoscopic imagehaving a stereoscopic effect.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,the two planes may be vertical to each other.

A display method according to one aspect of the present invention is adisplay method for a stereoscopic image, using a display device providedwith a transparent optical element, the display method includingemitting light to be recognized by an observer as a stereoscopic imagefrom the optical element. In the display method, the observer is able tovisually recognize a rear surface side of the display device through theoptical element, and the stereoscopic image includes two line segmentsthat are parallel to one plane and are not parallel to each other andone line segment that is not parallel to the plane.

According to the above feature, it is possible to display a stereoscopicimage having a high stereoscopic effect. Thus, even when a transparentoptical element is used, it is possible for the observer to visuallyrecognize a stereoscopic image having a stereoscopic effect.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,the plane may be parallel to an outgoing surface of the optical element.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,it is preferable that a reference image including two line segmentsorthogonal to each other be displayed separately from the stereoscopicimage.

Thus, since the observer can recognize the stereoscopic image withreference to the reference image as a reference, the observer canvisually recognize the stereoscopic image as an image having a morestereoscopic effect.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,the two line segments included in the reference image may be parallel toan outgoing surface of the optical element.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,the two line segments included in the reference image may intersect atone point.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,the reference image may include one line segment orthogonal to the twoline segments included in the reference image.

This makes it possible for the observer to visually recognize thestereoscopic image as an image having a more stereoscopic effect.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,the reference image may be formed of light emitted from the opticalelement.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,another optical element may be provided so as to be superimposed on theoptical element, and the reference image may be formed of light emittedfrom another optical element.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,a transparent sheet on which an image as the reference image is drawnmay be provided on the optical element.

In the display method according to one aspect of the present invention,the optical element may form the stereoscopic image by guiding lightincident from the light source, changing an optical path of the guidedlight, and emitting the light from the outgoing surface to form thestereoscopic image.

A display device according to one aspect of the present inventiondisplays a stereoscopic image by any one of the above display methods.

The present invention is not limited to each of the embodimentsdescribed above, but can be subjected to a variety of changes in thescope shown in the claims. An embodiment obtained by appropriatelycombining technical units disclosed respectively in differentembodiments is also included in a technical scope of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

-   -   1A, 1B display device    -   10, 50 light source    -   20, 60 light guide plate (optical element)    -   21, 61 outgoing surface    -   100 optical element    -   I1, I2, I2A, I3, I4, I5, I6 stereoscopic image    -   R1, R1A, R2 reference image

1.-6. (canceled)
 7. A display method for a stereoscopic image, using adisplay device provided with a transparent optical element, the displaymethod comprising emitting light to be recognized by an observer as astereoscopic image from the optical element, wherein the observer isable to visually recognize a rear surface side of the display devicethrough the optical element, and wherein the stereoscopic image includestwo line segments that are parallel to one plane and are not parallel toeach other and one line segment that is not parallel to the plane. 8.The display method according to claim 7, wherein the plane is parallelto the outgoing surface of the optical element.
 9. The display methodaccording to claim 1, wherein a reference image including two linesegments orthogonal to each other is displayed separately from thestereoscopic image.
 10. The display method according to claim 9, whereinthe two line segments included in the reference image are parallel tothe outgoing surface of the optical element.
 11. The display methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the two line segments included in thereference image intersect at one point.
 12. The display method accordingto claim 9, wherein the reference image includes one line segmentorthogonal to the two line segments included in the reference image. 13.The display method according to claim 9, wherein the reference image isformed of light emitted from the optical element.
 14. The display methodaccording to claim 9, wherein another optical element is provided so asto be superimposed on the optical element, and wherein the referenceimage is formed of light emitted from the other optical element.
 15. Thedisplay method according to claim 9, wherein a transparent sheet onwhich an image as the reference image is drawn is provided on theoptical element.
 16. The display method according to claim 7, whereinthe optical element forms the stereoscopic image by guiding lightincident from the light source, changing an optical path of the guidedlight, and emitting the light from the outgoing surface to form thestereoscopic image.
 17. A display device, wherein a stereoscopic imageis displayed by the display method according to claim
 7. 18. The displaymethod according to claim 8, wherein a reference image including twoline segments orthogonal to each other is displayed separately from thestereoscopic image.
 19. The display method according to claim 18,wherein a reference image including two line segments orthogonal to eachother is displayed separately from the stereoscopic image
 20. Thedisplay method according to claim 10, wherein the two line segmentsincluded in the reference image intersect at one point.